We went behind the scenes of this year’s production of The Nutcracker, A Kansas Ballet to learn more about the showstopping masks that bring the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse Queen, and a small army of mouse soldiers to life. Artist Kent Smith captures the magic of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic by sculpting three dimensional masks that speak to the dreamy wonder of childhood.
“In my work, whether it’s illustration or sculpture, I love anthropomorphic little animals that are adorable, and cute, and scary, and come to life.”
– Kent Smith